State Senate looks to limit state cellphone costs

OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers are looking to restrain the cellphone costs of state employees.

A plan approved Wednesday by the state Senate would place rules on the circumstances under which state agencies can give out devices to their employees. Republican Sen. Don Benton said the plan will save the state and taxpayers money.

State officials have already started looking for ways to save money, developing last year to ensure that government-issued devices are necessary for business needs.

The Associated Press previously reported how individual legislators had submitted hefty cellphone bills, including one monthly bill that totaled $382. The bill would not impact lawmaker cellphones.